The role of girls today as mothers of tomorrow is so important that it can be said that they are the future of our society. This year, for the fourth consecutive year, the International Day of the Girl Child was celebrated on October 11th. The main goal of the organizers and supporters of this global day was to increase collective efforts around the world to ensure a world free of discrimination for young women and girls. This year’s theme focuses on young girls and the Sustainable Development Goals. In a broader perspective, global efforts to reduce gender inequality continue to accelerate. While achieving gender equality by 2030 may be difficult, it is not impossible. Young girls, as a vulnerable group, face serious social, economic, and political barriers.

Despite having the potential for leadership and creating change, their abilities are weakened due to factors such as unwanted pregnancy, forced marriage and early marriage, gender-based violence, and limited access to education and reproductive health services.

Official statistics from global organizations reveal bitter realities; over 700 million women around the world were married as children (under the age of 18), and more than one third of them (approximately 250 million) were married before the age of 15. These young brides are often not able to establish safe and consensual sexual relationships, leaving them vulnerable to sexual infections and unwanted pregnancies. Every 10 minutes, somewhere in the world, a teenage girl becomes a victim of violence, and in emergency situations, teenage girls are particularly at risk of sexual violence and, in some cases, abduction by armed groups for sexual exploitation. Almost half (44%) of teenage girls worldwide believe that their husband or sexual partner will physically abuse them under certain circumstances.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, in a message on the occasion of International Day of the Girl Child, emphasized: “It is our duty to work towards achieving the predetermined goals and fulfilling our promise to provide all opportunities that girls deserve by 2030, when they reach adolescence and youth.” Ban Ki-moon declared this day as an international day in his statement.

The Executive Director of the UN Women’s Program says: “Today, our focus is on young girls, removing them from isolation is one of the duties of the United Nations. This is part of a great global movement for an equal world; an equal planet by 2030.”

According to the Executive Director of the UN Women program, with the support of the UN Women’s Fund, nearly 3000 girls and young women in Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic are using advanced technologies and innovative strategies to achieve gender equality and overcome male dominance. This is a significant step forward.

In all developing countries, activities have been carried out to improve the situation of young girls. In an unprecedented move, the leader of Malawi cancelled the marriages of 330 children who were married under the age of 18. This is happening in a country where half of its girls are married before the age of 18. The United Nations has greatly assisted in the adoption of a new law to increase the legal age of marriage in this country. International organizations, in coordination with grassroots organizations, have also taken on the responsibility of raising awareness among traditional leaders to end child marriages.

Global activities have a special focus on Asia and the Pacific. At least 750 million young people live in Asia and the Pacific. Active cooperation and participation in bringing the voices of these young people, who are a significant part of them demanding gender equality, is very effective. The voice of young women in the United Nations is a sign of an open space for expressing opinions, presenting ideas for building a peaceful and impartial world for all.

According to women’s rights activists, young girls and women should increase their abilities in traditionally male-dominated fields. These activists believe that women in societies around the world are capable of entering economic, political, and leadership roles.

A teacher and counselor for girls says: “Education and upbringing are empowering for young girls.”

This esteemed teacher in Granada speaks about the importance of education and upbringing, saying: “The support of the United Nations, the World Association of Girls and Progressive Girls to advanced curriculum programs is a tool to prevent violence against young girls.”

Among other countries in the world, Kyrgyzstan, this small country in Central Asia, is very progressive. It can confidently be said that the youth of Kyrgyzstan are champions of gender equality. In the summer term of schools in this country, a special workshop was held for students and teachers, where trainings were provided on empowering girls and becoming an active youth in school and society.

Alongside International Day of the Girl, International Youth Day is also important. On this global day, which was held on August 11, 2015, the United Nations Special Committee on Women, in collaboration with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, called for an end to violence against women and girls.

In the continent of Africa, Nigeria is very progressive. For Nigerian girls, education is the key to their own progress and that of their country. For example, Nina Agba has successfully obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Texas A&M University with the help of a scholarship and also holds a Master’s degree in Urban Affairs. Nina is responsible for the education expenses of her four sisters in Nigeria. Her project is also supported by a non-governmental organization that provides scholarships for girls. This is a miracle for Nina and her family.

Global efforts to improve the status of women have been fruitful. These efforts are at least a step towards empowering young girls and educating them about their abilities.

Although violence against women is a global issue, efforts towards reducing it are beneficial. Violence against women and young girls is carried out in various ways in the contemporary world. Women in the majority of societies today are punished in the most severe manner under the pretext of not adhering to moral values.

Violence against women in the most advanced societies today has deep roots and requires a collective struggle to dry up its roots and pave the way for the elimination of any inhumane actions. Giving importance to young girls may be the best solution to completely eliminate these injustices.

Explanation:

This article is a translation in Persian language and is taken from the website of the United Nations Women’s Commission and the International Day of the Girl website.